How Scams could get you Stoned

People willing to start a home business are often new to the Internet and filled with hope. Especially in the wake of COVID-19 situation, where people are finding new ways to sustain themselves, unfortunately, they can be easy targets for con artists. Simple money lure can be a tough lesson for those who fall for it. If you're looking at job opportunities online, watch out for scams and get-rich-quick schemes. Many scams are cleverly packaged, making it difficult to determine legitimate job opportunities from fraudulent ones.

Watch out for scams if you see jobs or business openings online. Many get-rich-quick schemes are cleverly packaged, making it difficult to sift legitimate work opportunities from swindles. Common disadvantages include Nigerian letter schemes asking for money, pyramid schemes, Ponzi schemes, and work-at-home offers involving stuffing envelopes or assembling crafts.

Some tips on sidestepping scams:

• If it sounds ridiculously too good to be real, it probably is!

Any offer to make you rich overnight with a business that works while you're sleeping is a rip-off. Watch out if a company offers big profits for little to no work, to says no expertise is required. If somebody can, why would you pay to learn?

Multilevel marketing (MLM) therefore got a bad score. There may be some legitimate money-making projects out there, but there are also a lot of overhyped, over-promising, under-providing scams.

• Be particularly careful about any business that needs initial investment.
• Be leery of someone who uses hard-selling techniques or forces you or sign up instantly.

Take the time to explore opportunities. If you find a program that intrigues you, do your favor and first check it out.

• Double-check a company's reputation before signing its program.

Get at least three references from people involved in the program to get the real story. Find out what strings are attached, how much money to get going, and what the "fine print" means. Learn how long they've been in business. Ask what their experience was with them. How long are they in business? What type of training will the company provide? Do their sales members have a strong support system?

• Read the fine print before signing something.

Before signing, if you don't understand an agreement, have a lawyer or accountant review it.

• Make sure there is an out-door.

Find out what the protocol is to withdraw if you change your mind and what, if anything, it'll cost you. If you have to pay startup fees, pay with a credit card, not cash or check. If things go wrong, you can cancel or dispute your credit card charges.

Don't ever fall prey to get-rich-quick scams and job opportunities. Be diligent enough. In case you need any help or want to discuss, just drop me a message.